EXCLUSIVE: An online safety expert has praised Meghan Markle for disabling comments on her Instagram account.

Meghan Markle has been praised over a decision she made on her Instagram account (Image: GETTY)

Meghan Markle has been praised for making decision to disable her comment section on her Instagram account.

The 43-year-old surprised fans by making a return to the social media platform on New Year’s Day. Meghan uploaded a simple reel of her running along a beach in California before writing ‘2025’ in the wet sand.

Just hours later, Meghan released the trailer for her new eight-part Netflix series titled ‘With Love, Meghan’, which will air on January 15.

One online safety expert referring to Meghan’s decision as a “genius” move as it links to her past work surrounding cyber bullying. Alongside Prince Harry, Meghan launched The Parents’ Network last year. Previously speaking of their project, Harry described it as “a support network for families dealing with online harm”.

Online safety expert Ryan T Williams told Express.co.uk: “Meghan’s decision to disable comments is genius. It ties into the work she’s doing alongside Harry and Archewell about keeping children safe online; she’s practising what she preaches.

“Prioritising her mental health and keeping her space positive is her prerogative. Why should she open herself up to trolls with nothing better to do than send her abuse?”

Referring to Meghan as “brave”, he added: “She’s chosen to put herself out there, which is brave, given how bad people on the internet can be.

“Put yourself in her shoes, why should she put up with it? She’s not fair game, and she’s sending a clear message that she isn’t allowing online abuse in her spaces, keep it on your own pages.

“Whilst some will argue that engagement will be impacted by this move, the reality is she’s not the first celebrity who doesn’t engage in comments etc. She’s already got over a million followers and global coverage, she doesn’t need to open herself up to trolling just to drive engagement.”

Meghan Markle made her Instagram return on New Year’s Day (Image: Instagram/meghan)

It also remains unknown whether Meghan has decided to involve Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, in her new series. Meghan and Harry’s two children did not feature in the trailer.

Speaking of her children, the expert said that he “doubts very much” that Meghan will have agreed to show her children.

He said: “What’s most interesting is how there are already calls for their kids to be in the show, with the reaction to this simple Netflix trailer, coupled with Harry’s trauma with the media, I doubt very much that the couple will be allowing their kids to be exposed to such abuse online. More parents need to look at protecting their kids online.”